Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-04-03
IN MORE TROUBLE
Bennett Cook Before the United States Com
missioner
FOR VIOLATING 4 REVISED STATUTE
The Government Testimony 50 far as Taken
Immatsrial.
A FURTHER HEARING TO- MORROW.

At three O'Clock yesterday afternoon
Bennett Cook, who has of late achieved
considerable notoriety in this city, was
arraigned before United States Commits
sioner Forbes, Oh information sworn out by
T. P. Shallcross, under section 5,44S OF
the Revised Statutes. The information
charged:
That in the months of January, Feb
ruary and March, 1887, Bennett Cook, with
force and arms unlawfully, knowingly and
feloniously did falsely represent himself to
be q revenue officer, and in such assumed
character did demand and receive money
and other articles of value from different
persons for duties and taxes due to the
United States for certain violations or pre-
tended violations of the revenue laws OF the
United States"
The prisoner was represented by John
q. PendletOn and DOvener q ElSOn. The
irst witness called by the United States
was Josephine Boyd. She stated that dur
ing the winter the defendant had come to
her house and said he was a detective.
He asked witness if she had any young
girls in her house. Witness brought the
girls in, and he looked at them. He
pulled out some papers and said he was
authorized by the Government to look
after the girls. He told witness that If
she would give him seven dollars he would
cause her no trouble. Witness said she
had no money for him, when defendant
abused her, calling her vile names. She
ordered him out of the house. The de-
jendant acted in q very mysterious way.
John Pardi was the next witness. About
q year ago defendant came into his place
on Market street, and found sOme fault
with his cigar license. Said it was not in
the right place, and he might fine him.
Witness did not ask if he was an officer.
On another occasion Cook came in and
said he was a United States detective and
said he was looking for a man.
John Swami testified that defendant was
stopping at the st. Charles. He under
stood from Cook that he was . detective.
Thursday Cook told witness he had Just
arrested a prisoner and took him to the
lookup. He asked for a room and said
the price was a little steep. He took the
room and said he had to attend Court the
next morning. He wanted to know if
there would be any objection to a woman
and a child coming up to his room and
having a private talk with him.
w. ID. Howell knew Cook. About
eighteen months ago Cook told witness he
was in the government service. He board
Ell at the Howell House for about two
weeks. He also said he was tracing cars
for Jay Gould. He showed witness 4
badge. Witness did not look at the badge.
Celia Williams testified that she did not
know Cook and had never seen him.
The other witnesses summoned by the
Government failed TO appear, service not
having been had. The Commissioner ac-
cOrdingly adjourned the hearing until
Monday afternoon ut 3 o'clock, when the
ease will be resumed. Under the statute,
the defendant, if convicted, is guilty OF Il
felony, and is to he fined $500, and i'm
prisOned not less than six months or more
than two years.